Thousands of music fans are gathering in Manchester Arena tonight for the first time since a suicide bombing left 22 concert goers dead.

Scores more were injured when terrorist Salman Abedi detonated his bomb in the venues foyer at near the end of a performance by singer Ariana Grande.

Dozens of people from Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire and South Cheshire were attending the concert when the attack took place.

Now the arena is opening for the first time since the attack on May 22 to host a benefit concert, called We Are Manchester, headlined by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.

The 14,000 people set to attend the sold-out event, including families who lost loved ones and those injured in the attack, face additional screening and bans on backpacks, large bags and some electrical items.

There is also a heavy police and security presence around the arena, which has been partly renovated following the attack - and a team of trauma specialists and mental health professionals are also at the venue to provide help to anyone who needs it.

Read More

Armed police close to the Manchester Arena after a terrorist attack (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

The entertainment will begin with a pre-show DJ set from Clint Boon, followed by a performance from poet Tony Walsh, known as Longfella, with a recital of This is the Place, a homage to the city of Manchester.